Circuit closer for elashlights



O. T. WCOD Aug. 5, 1941.

CIRCUIT ,CLOSER FOR FLASHLIGHTS Filed July 27, 1939 INVENTOR HHH Patented Aug. 5, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 8 Claims.

This invention relates broadly to flashlights and electric hand lanterns and more specifically to a circuit closer therefor particularly adapted for so-called pen-lights which are of about the same general size and shape as a fountain pen, or only slightly larger, so that they can be carried in the pocket, although not so limited.

Circuit closers of this general type have been located in the bottom cap of the iiashlight and have comprised a spring pressed plunger to cause a completion of the circuit, either by urging that battery terminal which is normally separated from the lamp terminal into contacting or circuit making position therewith or by completing the circuit from the casing to the zinc cup terminal of the battery.

One object of the present invention is to complete the circuit from the casing to a battery terminal by a plunger-type conductive element.

Another object of the inventiony is a circuit closer of the character described having three positions, to wit, an open circuit` position, a flash position and a steady light position.

A further object oi the invention is to provide a yielding circuit closing member in a circuit closer of the character described.

It is also an object of the present invention to retain the battery terminal against the lamp terminal at all times, even when the circuit making plunger is in the open circuit and flash positions.

The invention also has for an object a circuit closer of the character described in which allow-v ance is made for Variations in the length of the dry cells.

A further object of the invention is switch mechanism which may be removable as a unit from the flashlight topermit the insertiony and replacement of dry cells.

The invention also seeks a circuit closer which is practical from the standpoint of ease and cheapness of manufacture and effectiveness and durability in use.

These and other objects of the invention and the means for their attainment will be more apparent from the following detailed description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing illustrating various embodiments by which the invention may be realized and in which:

Figure 1 is a View showing a iiashlight, partly in longitudinal axial section showing the circuit closer of this invention. in open circuit position;-

Figure 2 is a fragmentaryv View showing` they circuit closer of this invention in closed circuit position;

Figure 3. isa transverse sectional View, taken in thev planeA indicated by the line 3--3 of Figure 2` andv looking in. the direction of the arrows and showing. specically the bottom or` end cap oi the ashlight with the head ofthe circuit making plunger removedr to show details ofV construction;

Figure 4A is a transverse sectional view. taken.

in the planeindicatedby the line 4 4 of Figure 1` and showing-particularlythe spacing orpositioning devices associated with the circuit closer;

Figure 5 is a View showing a modified form of circuit closer, and

Figures 6 and 7 are views showing the respective component elements ofthe cruciform battery positioning element of this invention.

For the purpose of illustration, a cylindrical ashlight casing is indicated at 'I having the removable end cap 9 within which is disposed the reflector. 'Il his casing l carries, in any convenient manner, a lamp supporting member I I in electricalI connection with the casing 'I and formed with or otherwise supporting, a lamp socket I2 adapted to receive the threaded lamp base I4 forming one lamp terminal. The other lamp terminal is indicated at Iii and is adapted, according to the preferred conception, to be always in electrical connection with one terminal, shown as the central terminal- I6, of the battery I1 of dry cells.

The opposite or lower end of the casing I is formed with or otherwise provided with threads I9 for the reception of the threaded portion I8 of what may be considered the bottom cap 2I. The threads I8`Y of this bottom cap are shown as telescoping within the casing and a peripheral bead 2l) limits inward movement and forms an inner annular groove which may be utilized in the modification of Figure 5, in a manner described in connection with that figure.

The circuit closer ofthis invention is carried by the bottom capl 2 I'. Conveniently, the bottom cap or end wall thereof 22 is apertured, as at 24, and the rim of aperture 24 is conveniently provided with a plurality of spaced inwardly directed iing'ers or lugs 25, shown in this instance as three in number, although it will be obvious as the description proceeds that the positioning lugs 25 serve primarily as means to retain the plunger in steady light position and that a single lug 25 could, in many instances, serve the purpose.

Disposed inthe aperture 24f is a cylindrical member shown convenientlyl as a tubular metal-lie or cup-shaped member 23, the bottom 23 of which is pierced oi otherwise formed with an aperture 29 by which is secured, as by a crimping or riveting operation, the shank 3S o1c a knurled operating knob 3i. The end of the cylinder 25 is formed proximate the knob 3l with one or more longitudinally extending slots, recesses or grooves 33 corresponding in position to the lugs 25 and adapted to receive the same whereby relative rotation of the tubular plunger 2G in its open circuit position, and with respect to the end cap i12 is prevented and the wall 35 at the inner end of each slot 33 serves as an abutment limiting the outward movement of the plunger 2E.

These slots or grooves 33 extend from the abutments to the end 2S of the plunger thereby permitting the plunger to be inserted in the aperture 2d from above, as viewed in Figure l,V

whereaiter the knurled head 3i may be secured in position, thereby preventing disassembly of the two parts.

Considering the head Si and the member 25 as the plunger as a whole, it will be noted that a circiunferential groove l5 is formed in the plunger, in this instance, by the reduced shank 3G of the head. It will be apparent that as the plunger is moved inwardly to the position shown in Figure 2, which is the circuity closing position of the switch of this invention, and the head 3i' then rotated until the bottom wall it is caused to overlie or extend within the bottom of the bottom cap, that the plunger is held inwardly of the bottom cap, in what will hereinafter appeal' as the circuit closing position.

Adapted to reciprocate within the tubular plunger is a cruciform positioning member 3?, This cruciform positioning member 3l, 3B is preferably composite being conveniently forme or two fiber plates, one indicated at IV in Figure 5 and one indicated at 3B in Figure 7. Each plate is formed with a wider or base portion and a narrower or upper portion 0 donned by upwardly facing shoulders il l. Member 3l is forme with an axial slot i2 entering from its upper end on the medial line of the member, Member is of the same shape but is formed with a slot 133 extending inwardly from its lower edge. The inner ends t of the both slots coincide so that these two members may be dove-tailed together to form the cruciforr member shown in Fig re.

l, 2 and 4. The dot and dash lines '35 in Figure 6 define that portion of the end Si! which would be within the slot 153.

The shoulder il! receives a coil spring which is seated at its one end against the abutment and has its extremity il bent outwardly to engage the annular shoulder or rib it formed in the side wall of the plunger The other end of the coil spring encircles the end portion of the positioning member 3l, 38, said end portion in each instance, being indicated generally at til' and engages the shoulder il to urge the positioning member iff, inwardly against the bottom or zinc cup terminal of the battery il'.

To position the plunger concentrically the bottom cap, a cylindrical shell member i9 may be provided which has an apertured bottom 5S. This shell member is first slipped on the plunger 2G over the end 28 and positioned on a rib 52 formed on the plunger before the plunger is entered into the aperture 2d.

A second resilient means shown as coil spring 53 encircles the open ended or inner extremity 5d of the plunger 2S and has an end 55 bent inwardly to engage the plunger and retain the spring in lil position, the position of the spring being limited 'oy the rib 52.

it will be recognized that in actual commercial practice, the battery il will vary in length and the tip lo of the lamp, that is, the soldered portion will also vary in length. The spring 4' compe' rates ior these Variations. When the lamp c is screwed into the lamp socket l2, it may further into the lamp socket than some er lamp, due to variations in the amount oi threads on the lamp base, or due to variations in the depth or' the threads or lor some other reason. If desired, therefore, the bottom of the lamp socket may be formed with an inturned lip The method of assembling the circuit closer or this invention will be apparent from the foregoing description. Suice it to say that the plunger is first passed through the aperture in the shell member :i9 and then the plunger and shell member are entered into the bottom or open side of the end cap 2| with the bottom end ol the plunger passed through the aperture 24. Thereafter the knob 3l is anixed. The spring 46 may thereafter be inserted within the plunger and the non-conductive positioning member 31, 'cl-3 inserted within the spring. Thereafter, the contact spring is applied to the outer surface the plunger.

A modification of the invention is illustrated in Figure 5 in which the positioning member 3S is provided with ears or lugs 58 whereby the positioning member 3l, 38 is retained 'within the plunger by an inwardly turned rim B thereon. If desired, also, a tongue 62, Figure 5, may be formed on the wall 49 of the cup-shaped shell l- 5d which tongue is outwardly pressed and adapted to be received within the groove 6d formed in the bottom cap, as a further means of retaining the parts against displacement.

In operation, and bearing in mind the fact that the terminals l5 and l5 of the lamp and dry cell, respectively, are maintained constantly in contact, by means of the spring pressed positiom'ng means 31, 38 a momentary illumination of the lamp may be effected by pressing inwardly on the head 3| of the plunger. This carries the conductive spring 53 into contact with the zinc cup terminal of the battery i7 and completes the circuit from the conductive casing 1, conductive bottom cap 2l, shell 49, plunger 26 to the spring 53. Obviously, even though the shell 49 were omitted the circuit would be completed through the bottom wall E2 of the bottom cap and the plunger 26. If the lamp is to remain illuminated so as to give a steady light from the ashlight, the plunger is pressed inwardly as before to bring the spring 53 into contact with the zinc cup terminal of the dry cell il and when the groove 3S is in register with the bottom 22, the knurled end 3l may be turned to bring the wall 2B beneath the wall 2i to retain the plunger in circuit closing position with the yielding contact member 53 in engagement with the zinc cup terminal of the battery.

It will thus be seen that a circuit closer has been proposed which is applicable to any type of flashlight or hand lantern in which the pluri-g er, as a whole, as a contact making member is retained out of Contact with the coacting terminal except when pressure is intentionally applied to the thumb piece 3l. In the illustrated embodiment the positioning means 3l, 38 is shown as insulatory but it will be obvious that insulation at any other point, say, by making the plunger 26 of insulating material or surfacing the insidev of the plunger with a fiber sleeve, will equally serve the purpose. Such a circuit closer is/particularly adapted to flashlights oi the penlight type since theyV can be carried in the pocket without danger of closing the circuit except by the intentional act of the operator. Moreover, while a coil spring 53 is illustrated as the contact making member it will be obvious that the use of any kind of resilient conductive means is solely to compensate for variations in battery length and other components of the flashlight and if this is undesired, the contact may be made by the tube 54 or other unyielding plunger-like element.

Various modifications will occur to those skilled in the art in the composition, configuration and disposition of the component elements going to make up the invention as a whole as well as in the selection and/or combination of particular H apertured casing portion, of a tubular plunger v formed with a peripheral groove and at least one longitudinal groove, said casing portion being formed with a lug for reception in the longitudinal groove, a non-conductive plunger within the tubular plunger, a coil spring engaging the non-conductive plunger to urge the saine against the other battery terminal and a coil spring carried by the tubular plunger and adapted when the tubular plunger is in circuit closing position to contact and make electrical connection with the battery terminal.

2. A circuit closer for flashlights in which one battery terminal is electrically connected with one lamp terminal, the combination with an apertured casing portion, of a tubular plunger formed with a peripheral groove and at least one longitudinally extending groove, said casing portion being formed with a lug for reception in the longitudinally extending groove, an apertured shell within the casing portion in which the o plunger is guided, a non-conductive plunger within the tubular plunger, a coil spring engaging the non-conductive plunger to urge the same against the other battery terminal and a coil spring carried by the tubular plunger and adapted when the tubular plunger is in circuit clos ing position to contact and make electrical connection with the battery terminal.

y3. A circuit closer for flashlights in which one battery terminal is electrically connected with one lamp terminal, the combination with an `apertured casing portion, of a tubular plunger formed with a peripheral groove and a shoulder and at least one longitudinal groove, said casing portion being formed with a lug for reception in the longitudinal groove, a non-conductive plunger within the tubular plunger and formed with a shouller, a coil sprinfr encircling the non-conductive plunger and disposed between the two shoulders and yielding conductive means carried by the tubular plunger land adapted when the tubular plunger is in circuit closing position to Contact and make electrical connection with the other battery terminal.

battery terminal is electrically connected with one lamp terminal, the combination with an aper-A tured casing portion, of a conductive tubular plunger formed with a peripheral groove and a' first shoulder and a second shoulder and at least one4 longitudinal recess, said casing portion being formed with a lug for reception in the recess, ar

between the last named shoulder and the iirst shoulder and -a coil spring encircling the conductive plunger and positioned by the second shoulder and adapted when the tubular plunger is in circuit closing position to contact yand make electrical connection with the other battery terminal.

5. A circuit closer for flashlights in which one battery terminal is electrically connected with one lamp terminal, the combination with an apertured casing portion, of a conductive tubular plunger formed with a peripheral groove and a first shoulder and a second shoulder and at least one longitudinal groove, said casing portion being formed with a lug for reception in the longitudinal groove, a cruciform composite non-conductive plunger within the tubular plunger and formed with a shoulder, a coil spring encircling the non-conductive plunger and disposed between the last named shoulder and the iirst shoulder and a coil spring encircling the tubular plunger and positioned by the second shoulder and adapted when the tubular plunger is in circuit closing position to contact and make electrical connection with the battery terminal.

6. A circuit closer for flashlights in which one battery terminal is electrically connected with one lamp terminal, the combination with an apertured casing portion, of a tubular plunger formed with a peripheral groove and `a first shoulder and a second shoulder and at least one longitudinally extending groove, said casing portion being formed with a lug for reception in the longitudinally extending groove, a composite nonconductive plunger within the tubular plunger,

said composite plunger comprising two plates each formed with a shoulder, said plates dovetailing together and whereof the portion deiined by the shoulder is of lesser diameter, a coil spring encircling that portion of the non-conductive plunger which is of lesser diameter and disposed between the last named shoulder and the rst shoulder and a coil spring encircling the tubular plunger and positioned by the second shoulder thereon and adapted when the tubular plunger is in circuit closing position to contact and make electrical connection with the battery terminal.

7. A circuit closer for flashlights in which one battery terminal is electrically connected with one lamp terminal, the combination with 4an apertured casing portion formed with an annular groove inwardly thereof, of a tubular plunger formed with a peripheral groove and at least one longitudinally extending groove, said casing portion .being formed with a lug for reception in the longitudinally extending groove, an apertured shell Within the casing portion in which the plunger 4. A circuit closer for flashlights in which one 75 is guided, said shell being formed with a finger for engagement in the annular groove in the casing portion, .a non-conductive plunger within the tubular plunger, a coil spring engaging the nonconductive plunger to urge the saine against the other battery terminal and a coil spring carried by the tubular plunger and adapted when the tubular plunger is in circuit closing position t0 tubular plunger, said tubular plunger being formed with an inturned rim to engage the shoulder and retain the non-conductive plunger within the tubular plunger, a coil spring engaging the non-conductive plunger to urge the same against the other battery terminal and a coil spring carried by the tubular plunger and adapted when the tubular plunger is in circuit closing position to contact and make electrical connection with 10 the battery terminal.

ORVILLE T. WOOD. 

